Confession vs. PunishmentConfession of sin reorients one’s thinking with God’s (reconciles our thoughts). Punishment is discipline meant to train us to not sin that way again. Self-Induced MiseryTo live in sin is a choice. To refuse to confess that sin is to remain in it, under the judgment (and punishment) that it incurs. 1Jn 5:4For […]
Part 34 – Proverbs 17 Wisdom Read More »
OUTLINE: “I’m better!”Your so-called “victory” becomes your judgment. When the flesh’s perspective “wins”, you lose. That is your “punishment” (ala Pr 17:5). Ro 1:32 [NLV]They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.“seared”from kauteriazo – means to brand (sear) with a
Part 31 – Proverbs 17 Wisdom Read More »
Over time, I’ve learned to really enjoy the Gospel of Mark. I think it’s because it was written to Gentiles, which gives us contemporary Gentiles a perspective that seems more “natural,” for lack of a better word. The Gospel of Matthew was written to the Jews, implying a different bent. In fact, one of the challenges with Matthew’s
OUTLINE: Be Careful What You TreasureIf we treasure a counterfeit, we suffer for it. Sources of Counterfeit “Self-Esteem”Your education, work, or incomeYour appearance or dressYour kindness, niceness, sweetnessYour reputation, accomplishments, “success”Your religion 1Co 15:10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the
Part 15 – Proverbs 17 Wisdom Read More »
OUTLINE: There’s no substitute for experience.Prov. 1:17-18For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird, but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives.“The American Dream Is a Trap”Diary of a Journeyman – Volume 1 Careful What You SacrificeNothing is more valuable
Part 1 – Proverbs 17 Wisdom Read More »
OUTLINE: “good works”They are never, ever by means of work done by you in the absence of His grace. “for good works” – Tit 2:14“Good” implies God’s scale of values, not man’s. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…” (Jas 1:17a). “for good works” – Tit 2:14If we’re sanctified for the purpose of being “zealous for good
The Secret to God’s Grace Read More »
OUTLINE: The Fruit of GraceIf there are circumstances in your life that you are still in bondage to, somewhere along the line, you’ve not received grace the way you ought to (e.g., missed it, rejected it, misunderstood it). “for good works” – Tit 2:14“Good” implies God’s scale of values, not man’s. “Every good gift and every perfect
Understanding Good That Sanctifies Read More »
OUTLINE: Covert ArroganceYou are going to get ZERO help from your flesh (or any enemy of Christ) in discovering areas of covert arrogance in yourself; for this is one of the flesh’s strongholds and the very means it continues to have influence over you. The Fruit of GraceIf there are circumstances in your life that
Overcome Evil With Good Read More »
OUTLINE: TranscendenceA transcendent viewpoint can still see all that is below it. With our minds fixed on the “things that are above”, we are not blind to “the things that are on earth” (Col 3:2) – we can/should still observe the things around us, on earth. Deliverance is a mindset, not blindness or willful ignorance. 80 Messages Is
At the End of the Day, It’s About Grace Read More »
OUTLINE: Eph 5:13-14 [Amplified Classic]But when anything is exposed and reproved by the light, it is made visible and clear; and where everything is visible and clear there is light.The Book of EcclesiastesSolomon’s wisdom is on full display for all to learn from. The key lesson is that a life apart from God is an
Part 79 – The Lord Is Our Confidence Read More »